Present: Cllrs Hugh Delap (Chairman), Stuart Campbell, John Adler, Rowena Woods, Nick Stevens, Guy Richie, Mandy Knowles, Mary Stanhope, Ward Cllr Neil Butters – who attended later; and Temporary Clerk Lizanne Pettit.
1. Apologies
Stephanie Jenkins (Clerk)
2. Declarations of InterestNo-one declared an interest in any of the agenda items
3. The Draft Minutes of the Meeting of 4th November, which had been posted on the website, were approved as a correct record of the previous meeting, having changed “First Great Western” to “Heart of Wessex Partnership” under item 8h, which the Chairman then signed.
4. Finance:Payments to be made in December were approved:
Ian Croker, Street Cleaning: £210.97
Hugh Delap, colour printing of map for affordable housing (50% to be recovered from LSPC), £39.79
Box of biscuits for Ian Croker’s Christmas present
Receipts:B&NES Street Cleaning Funding: £303.49
Street Lighting:
The Clerk & Chairman have still to contact Somer Housing about lighting the path behind the Glebe.
5. Correspondence:
In the Clerk’s absence this will be noted next month
6. Planning: B&NES Decisions:09/02518/AR Parcel 5600 Freshford Lane, Freshford. Display of 1no. fascia sign on shop and 1no. free standing sign in corner of field – (Resubmission) – Taken to committee and granted permission – vote of 6 to 4. SC and NB spoke in favour of approval.
New applications
None
On-going items
09/02697/CA Sharpstone House, Sharpstone . Alterations of damaged boundary wall – Conservation area permission granted.
RW had raised with B&NES- why the PCC was not consulted on the amended drawings for this wall and received a reply from the Planning Officer, Bob Cannon: as follows
“The consent granted under 09/02697/CA gives the right to repair the wall in the same location as it presently sits. It should be noted that CA consent was most probably not required for the works as they do not involve the total demolition of the wall. However as an application was submitted it was determined to give authorization to the works and in the avoidance of doubt. The consent only applies to rebuilding the wall and does not infer or give consent for the erection of a gate or for any new highway entrance. This last items should be for the consideration of a planning application.”
A reply from Lisa Bartlett, Manager Development Control, is still awaited to our complaint of not being consulted
09/03701/FUL: Rosemary House, Church Lane, Limpley Stoke BA2 7GH (Resubmission). A letter has been sent to B&NES rebutting the architect’s comments as to the conduct of the PC meeting and the approach taken by the PC, which has now been posted on the website. [subsequent to the meeting B&NES’s decision to refuse dated 7th December has been published on their website]
09/023339/CONSLT: Expansion and alteration at Bristol Airport, B&NES Council – North Somerset Council – (09/P1020/0T2) – on goin
The Inn - Internal alterations – on going.
War Memorial – Has now been listed Grade 11
7 The Parish Charter
The PC agreed that NS submit his draft robust response to B&NES’s questionnaire on the Parish Council’s assessment of the working of the Parish Charter. This will mirror the difficulties that the PC has encountered. The Charter is not working as well as it might and the PC should seek to convey that message in clear and unequivocal terms. If required to do so the PC is in a position to highlight a number of instances where the service has failed. The view was taken that relations with the Planning Dept. have improved whilst those with the Highways Dept have deteriorated.
- Core Strategy
SC reported that the closing date for consultation had been put back to 15 January.
The Planning Policy Committee will meet shortly to discuss his recommended response which will be circulated and put to the PC at the next meeting (on 4th January) for approval.
- Updates:
Phil Desmond of Ypres Rose is exploring provision of dedicated drying area on the site - on going
Avon Chief Fire Officer, Gary Weeks, has reported that he has agreed a route through the village – Church Lane, High Street, Crabtree Lane to the Mill site in case of emergency at the Mill
Meeting with Mark Reynolds to discuss discharge of conditions – to be confirmed
Work has either started or is imminent on the repairs to the weir.
b. Affordable HousingMembers of the two Parish Councils met on the 3rd December with officers from B&NES and Wiltshire to progress the scheme. They were particularly pleased to welcome back from maternity leave, Louise Davidson of EHRA. The officers were impressed with the work already undertaken by the two PCs since the survey – 60 potential sites have been identified and mapped on a scale plan 1:1350 and a comprehensive spreadsheet has been produced which identifies each site, sets out distances to essential services, marks the parish boundaries and conservation area and then goes on to describe pros and cons for each site.
Several sites appeared attractive to all, particularly since the hub of the parishes has moved to the area of the village hall and the new shop.
c. Communications:Work starts tomorrow (Tues 8th Dec) to take down the old notice boards and to erect the new ones.
John Adler reported having discussed with Dan Towner the ability of the website to send “newsletters” to Parishioners. At first sight there appeared to be difficulties with the Data Protection Act and the fact that the site was hosted in the USA.
It was agreed that this should be explored by the Communications Committee and a solution brought back to the PC at the next meeting.
Claudia Towner commented that the Pre-School web site now stands separately from the Freshford Village website. The Communications Group will consider the Parish Council making a similar move.
d. Facilities and Funding:
GR reported on a meeting with Martin Walker of the Memorial Hall Committee on his search for funds for the redevelopment of the Memorial Hall, with particular reference to the substantial funds available from Community builders, who observe that this project is the kind that they are accustomed to supporting. However a case must be made for significant revenues from a future hall and this has to be demonstrated.
e. Police Matters:The PACT meeting on 23rd November was attended by HD & JA. The topic that received most attention, and most votes at the end, was what could be done to reduce the dangers posed by the lack of speed restrictions on the A36 between Midford Lane and Farleigh Filling Station, with special consideration of its junction with Branch Road. This is a Highways Agency matter but B&NES and the police will lend what weight they can to seeking improvements which could include a roundabout at the Branch Rd/A36 junction. Freshford and Hinton Charterhouse PCs will write setting out their ideas.
HD will ask the beat policeman, Matt Bendall, or one of his team, to write a piece for the Bulletin on the rights, of which there are few, of the motorist when it comes to parking on the public highway. These do not include putting out cones to reserve a parking place. Separately he will be asked to write another reminder to hedge owners to keep their hedges from encroaching on footpaths. HD remarked how fortunate we were in the people who made up the Polices’ Community Team.
f. Footpaths, Walls and Trees:
MS reported that three fingerposts have been removed and remade in the forge. The other, newer, posts were painted on site.
Gate to the playing fields by the Memorial Hall: This is now in place. A letter of thanks to Stuart Ballard of B&NES will be sent.
Footpath from Nurlton to Sharpstone: MS reported on the disappearance of one of the “saddle” stones at the top of the footpath down to Sharpstone. There used to be two vertically positioned to provide a “pinch point” access through the path from the field. The path is covered with leaves. The PC will attempt to identify the landowner, as B&NES have said they are not responsible for replacing/reinstating the stone. The fee to check with the Land Registry is around £21.00
Malcolm Chatwin of Abbotsleigh House has applied for permission to remove some large fir trees which grow out of the Rosemary Lane bank, opposite Walnut Grove. MS said she is likely to be away when the application for this arrives. SC said he will keep an eye on it
g. Street MattersMK reported on Ian Crokers’ activities which involved drain clearance mainly in Rosemary Lane, Dark Lane, Abbey Lane & the Hill .He made regular sweeps of the footpaths to and from the Galleries shop. Weed clearance on Dark Lane and Sharpstone (weather permitting); and strimming has stopped.
Cemetery: MK told of her intention to put up a sign on both cemetery gates to inform visitors of the rubbish/green letter disposal arrangements. It was agreed that the tap should remain in place.
The Pound:NS to remind the School of their possible involvement in putting statues of cows in the Pound. MK to arrange for some bulb planting there in the Spring.
Dog Fouling:MK had no reports of any fouling offenders, perhaps due to the weather in November. The Kennel Club is providing free Poo Bags. The Shop will be asked to make them available
Bins: The provision of one bin by the Church, one for Ashes Lane and one for the Tyning. These will be supplied by B&NES without cost to the PC.. The Friends of Freshford have agreed to meet the installation cost of two more bins by the Hall.
h. Public Transport:Freshford Station: RW has been in touch with Jill Wood of Station House to keep her informed of the current situation on proposed car parking. NB is investigating with FGW if there can be a residents-only use of the new area.
RW has sent a note to the Station Manager requesting permission for the Old Freshford Sign to be placed behind a seat on the Bath platform.
RW thanked Gordon Edwards for producing an up to date train time-table which will be displayed on the notice boards.
i. Roads & Traffic:NS reported that B&NES had earlier this year stated where they wished to install European style HGV signs, the PC had several comments to make which still had to be responded to by B&NES. The PC had just received details already issued to the Contractors who would install these signs. N. Butters was asked to stress to B&NES that these should not be installed until after discussion and agreement with the PC.
NS reported that his report “Getting About – People & Vehicles,” which was sent to B&NES sometime ago, still had not been responded to – despite reminders. NB was asked to bring what pressure he could to bear on those responsible in Highways Dept.
NS reported on the updated Travel Plan prepared by the School, which has also been submitted to B&NES. The Plan is integral to the People and Vehicles Report and on first reading appears to be a considered and well researched document. NS expressed hope that the combined effect of these two documents would increase the prospects for funding in next year’s budget under the Safe Walking to School programme.
Bollards on the Tyning:
SC recommended that a further 6 bollards be placed on the Tyning and 2 damaged bollards be replaced. This was accepted in principle by the PC who asked him to obtain quotes from HL Mills and James Lock, which could be circulated with a recommendation for approval.
Park Corner: New kerbs and bollards
NS reported that there had been no further information from Highways Dept as to when this work would commence. Tassos had previously confirmed that the work would require temporary placement of traffic lights at the junction.
j. Children & YouthCT reported that the Pre-School has applied to Ofsted to extend their registration from 16 children to 18 children per session from January 2010. This will allow them to better meet current demand for places, and also enable them to extend the hours of the 3rd member of staff.
Funding; Funding is available from B&NES Early Years team for developing outside spaces for pre-schools. The Pre-School intends to make a grant application for outdoor equipment.
The new playing field gate has been installed, and the final invoice was £304.35. All this has been found save for a shortfall of £47.65, which the PC agreed to cover.
k. Green Energy
NS & HD have met with Ypres Rose to explore how the Community might be involved in the development of the potential of the river at the mill for the generation of electricity so that when the development is complete and occupied the residents could be presented with some clear ideas of what might be achievable and of benefit to themselves.
The PC approved a proposal that the Council, having established good relations with Ypres Rose, the lead in this exercise should transfer to an external group led by Graham Jenkinson with a link to the PC.
HD proposed that the PC be seen to be active in promoting and encouraging the saving of energy in the Parish. Some may be aware of the “10-10” campaign which involves a growing number of companies and communities committing to reducing their carbon footprint by 10% by the end of 2010. Here again, with a kick-start from the PC which would gauge the level of interest in the parish, it could be taken on by a group from outside the PC but still with a link to the PC. This proposal was approved. An article could go in the January Bulletin to gauge the level of interest and support.
l. Emergency Services & Emergency Planning:HD reported that following the incident in the summer when a fire engine was stuck in Rosemary Lane on its way to a suspected fire at the Mill, and our appeal to the fire service to ensure that this did not happen again (reported on under 9a above), the PC has asked for a meeting at the earliest opportunity to discuss how they will deal with fires in areas even less accessible than the Mill.
HD tabled a draft of a proposed standard emergency plan, prepared by B&NES, which any parish could adopt. He asked that this be studied and views exchanged before the meeting in January with a view to its being adopted and applied.
GR drew attention to similar initiatives in neighbouring parishes with whom he suggested we liaise.
10. AOB
a. Avon Valley Parishes Alliance
NS and HD reported on two further meetings of the Alliance of Parishes in the Avon Valley. The initiative has now reached the stage of being clearer as to its objectives, discussing the need for funding of its overheads, a name, and how and when it should be publicly launched.
Several proposals for funding have been put forward, however the majority view was that “until there was more flesh on the bone” no amounts should be set aside.
SC expressed concern that the precept should only be used for admin. and not project costs unless specifically approved.
11. Date of next meeting: Monday 4thJanuary, 2010